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Tongue-Tie Surgery for Age 1 Year and Older

Topic Overview

Frenuloplasty is the release of the tissue (lingual frenulum) that
attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth and closure of the wound with
stitches. It is the preferred surgery for
tongue-tie in a child older than 1 year of age.

During the procedure, the doctor clips the lingual frenulum to
release the tongue and then stitches the resulting triangular-shaped wound
closed. Pressure may be applied to stop any bleeding that occurs.

After the procedure, the child or adult can go back to a normal diet and
may use acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, for pain or
discomfort.

Complications from tongue-tie surgery are rare but may
include:

Infection at the site.

Excessive
bleeding.

Recurrent tongue-tie from scar tissue formation.
Tongue-tie may be more likely to recur after a simple release of the tissue
(frenotomy) than after frenuloplasty. If tongue-tie recurs, it is typically
less severe than it was before the surgery.

Older children and adults may need to do tongue exercises several
times daily for about 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery. These exercises help
strengthen the tongue muscle and improve mobility of the tongue. They also help reduce the
chances of scar tissue forming.

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